Throughout the summer Ipswich is commemorating its historic associations with America. A number of special events have been planned for this, the 400th Anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English speaking colony in the “New World” in May 1607– thirteen years before the Founding Fathers on the Mayflower.

Many of the original settlers were from Suffolk and the Captains were local men – Bartholomew Gosnold, of Otley near Ipswich was Captain of the “Godspeed” and John Sicklemore (aka Ratliffe) from Ipswich was captain of the “Discovery”. The third ship “Susan Constant” was captained by Christopher Newport of Harwich.

Eagerly awaited, as part of the celebrations, is the visit to Ipswich Waterfront of the sailing ship “Discovery” - a life size, seaworthy replica which was built in 1984 and has been based in Virginia USA where she has welcomed 9 million visitors.

Discovery will be in Ipswich from the 6th – 13th August. She will be berthed outside the Old Custom House where she will be open to the public, daily, free of charge from 10.00am to 6.00pm. Entertaining tours will give a taste of what life was like on board ship on a long, dangerous uncomfortable journey, and an idea of what made people undertake such an adventure. Accompanying the Discovery will be a maritime exhibition in the Old Custom House.

Ipswich’s Blue Badge Tourist Guides will be leading special guided walks – “Gosnolds Ipswich” - from the Discovery, through the town, which includes buildings which would have been familiar to the settlers 400 years ago. The walks will end at Christchurch Mansion – a stunning Tudor house and art gallery in the town.
Christchurch Mansion is hosting a “Gosnold and the Founding Fathers Exhibition”, which runs until October. As well as a house with the ambience of the period, the exhibition will feature period room settings, ceramics, furniture and weapons of the type used by the Jamestown settlers as well as Gosnold family portraits and a video presentation of the Jamestown story.

“Ipswich and the New World” Day
Tying all these together a special one off “Ipswich and the New World” day has been arranged which will explore Ipswich’s history with America. Blue Badge Tourist Guide, Margaret Hancock, will be leading the day which will include a tour of the Mansion, a guided walk, a tour of the Discovery and a river cruise on the Orwell Lady.

A series of special guided walks has been arranged to coincide with the visit of the "Discovery" replica sailing ship to Ipswich Waterfront. Discover a street pattern and buildings which would have been familiar to Suffolk's maritime adventurers 400 years ago and hear about local seafarers who circumnavigated the globe and settled in the "New World"

August
Monday 6th 11.00am
From Discovery to Christchurch Mansion
Tuesday 7th 11.00am and 2.00pm
From Discovery to Christchurch Mansion
Wednesday 8th 11.00am and 2.00pm
From Discovery to Christchurch Mansion
Thursday 9th 11.00am
From Christchurch Mansion to Discovery
Thursday 9th 2.00pm
From Discovery to Christchurch Mansion
Friday 10th 11.00am
From Discovery to Christchurch Mansion
Saturday 11th 11.00am and 2.00pm
From Discovery to Christchurch Mansion
Sunday 12th 11.00am
From Discovery to Christchurch Mansion
Monday 13th 11.00am and 2.00pm
From Discovery to Christchurch Mansion

Further Information from:
Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, St Stephen's Church, St Stephen's Lane, Ipswich IP1 1DP
Tel No 01473 258070      www.visit-ipswich.com